Washing and drying machine



Dec. 11 1923.

L. B. HART WASHING AND DRYING MACHINE F iled Oct. 26 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet1 9 A 7 6 2 w k 5 z a 9 w a 9 i a .W. a W 4 W i J 2 Z gnvmhz L. B. HARTWASHING AND DRYING MACHINE Dec. 11 1923.

Filed Oct. 26 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 flttmymq I Dec. 11 1923.

L.- B. HART WASHING AND DRYING MACHINE Fil'ed Oct. 26 4 Sheets-Sheet 4wjri @(bmw Patented Dee. Ml, 11323.

UNHTEQ TATE PATENT @FFEQE.

inn/"me LEO B. HART, F VINTON, XOWA,JASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALE 'liO JOHN W.T031133, 03F

VIN'EQN, IQWA. I

wasnme ann narmerancmnn Application filed oetober at, me. semi no. team.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that Lao B. HART, a citizen of the United States, residingat Vinton, in the county of Benton and State of Iowa, has inventedcertain new and useful Tmprovements in Washing and Drying'Machines, ofwhich the following is a specificatlon.

My invention relates to a combined Washing and drying machine.

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of theabove mentioned character, having means whereby the rotatable clothesholding element or drum may be held in a horizontal position, andturned, to wash or rinse the clothes, and then shifted to a verticalposition, and rotated, to cause the clothes to be dried by the action ofcentrifugal force upon the wet clothes.

A further ob'ect of the invention is to provide a machine of the abovementioned character, which is convenient to adjust in its operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the abovementioned character, which is strong, durable, and reliable inoperation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a.

part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed todesignate like parts throughout the same,

. Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section through a machineembodying my invention, parts being in elevation,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bearing plate and associated elements,parts in section,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the head or end of the drum,

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the machine,

Figure 6 is yoke, I

Figure 7 is a plan view of the driving shafts, associated elements beingin section,

Figure 8 is a detail section through the bearing sleeve and associatedelements, parts broken away,

a perspective view of the drum .wlth the diverging arms Figure 9 is aperspective view of the supporting yoke for the bearing sleeve,

Figure 10 is a similar view of a latch device for the lever.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shownapreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral designates cornerposts preferably formed of angle iron, and projecting downwardly in theform of legs 16. These corner posts are connected by transverse bars 17and 18, and

also by longitudinal bars 19. These posts and the bars constitute asupporting frame for the machine.

Suitably mounted within the supportin frame is a casing 20, which may beformed of sheet metal or the like, while an other. suitable material maybe employe The upper portion of this casing constitutes a drying chamber21 while its lower portion is in the form of a water holding chamber 22,serving as an ordinary tub. The chamber 21 projects longitudinallybeyond the chamber 22, at one hangin bottom wall 23 and a diagonal wall24, as s own. This arrangement afiords an exterior space 25 for thereception of the motor and other operating elements, to be described.The top-of the chamber 21.1may be closed by means of a cover 26, whichis hin ed to the frame at 27, and may be held in the closed position bya latch 28, or other suitable means. There is a space 29 within theframe, exteriorly of the casing 20, and this space is adapted for thereception of driving means, to be described. This space may be closedby'a door 30, hin ed to the frame at 31,'Figure 4, and held 0 osed by alatch 32, or the like.

The numeral 33 designates a sleeve bear- I ing, which is mounted toswing in a vertical plane, longitudinally of the mach ne, and to assumehorizontal and vertical positions. This sleeve bearing extends throughand 1s rigidly clamped within a collar 34, integral tiall ii-shapedsupporting yoke 36. The armg 35 are provided at their ends withhorizontal extensions .37, which are pivotally mounted in bearings 38, rgidly secured to the casing 20,- b any suitable means. One of thehorizonta extensions 37 1s r1g1dly connected with a lever 39, operatingin proximity'to the side of the casing'20 and end, providing an over 35of a substanthe latch element is depressed, to permit of the movement ofthe lever. By this means the support yoke 36 may assume horizontal andvertical positions,icarrying the sleeve bearing 33 with it, as isobvious. It is thus seen that the sleeve bearing 33 is supported by thisyoke, and the strains-placed upon the sleeve bearing are in turntransmitted. to the support yoke 36.

The sleeve bearing 33 projects into the interior of the casing 20, andpasses through the diagonal wall 24, and it is desired to ef-- feet awater tight connection between this sleeve bearing and the diagonalwall. To accomplish this, the sleeve bearing 33 is provided with a ball43 formed integral therewith, and this ball is pivotally mounted with aplate 44, having a spherically curved face to contact with the ball. The

. plate 44 is secured to the wall by bolts or Cal rivets 46 or the like.The ball 43 is equipped with trunnions 47 pivoted within sockets 48,formed on the plate 44. The numeral 49 designates a ring of packings,preferably arranged upon the outer side of the plate 44, and contactingwith the ball 43 to effect a water tight joint.v Tt'is obvious that thedetailed construction of the joint may be varied, as may be foundadvanta eous.

he numeral 50 designates a spindle, rotatable within the bearing sleeve33, and engaging bearin balls 51 held in place by caps 52 or the li e.This spindle 50 is provided with a ring 53, rigidly mounted thereon, toenga with the bearing balls 51, thus constituting an end thrust bearing,which is particularly needed when the spindle is operating in a verticalposition. The. spindle is therefore free to rotate within the bearingsleeve 33, but cannot partake of restricte longitudinal movementstherein.

Preferably formed integral with the inner end ofthe bearing sleeve 33,Figures 1 and 6, is an approximately .U-shaped drum yoke 54, embodyingarms 55. These arms are adapted to extend upon opposite sides of a drum56, as clearly shown in Fi re 4. The arms 55 are provided at their endswith headed studs 57 for insertion within transverse notches 58, formedin the ends of a resilient latch bar 59, pivoted to a head or end of thedrum. The latch bar 59 is pivoted u ona trunnion 59, rigidly secured tot e head 60, and this trunnion is adapted tov enter a U-shaped bearing60', secured to the side of the casing 20. This head is provided wi h aflang 6 toenter the open end of the drum, and the latch bar 59 is thusconnected with the yoke 54, to hold the head upon the drum in the closedposition. By virtue of the flange 61 of the head 60, and associatedelements, it is apparent that the yoke 54 constitutes a connecting meansbetween the outer end of the drum and the bearing sleeve 33.

The opposite end 62 of the drum 56 has a base or late 63 rigid] securedthereto, and this p ate is equipped having an opening 65, which issquare in cross section, to receive the end 66 of the With a socket 64,

spindle 50, which end is also square in cross I section. It will befurther seen that the yoke 54 and associated elements serve to retainthe socket 64 upon the end 66.

The drum 56 is preferably of the shape shown, having a cylindricalintermediate portion 67, and diagonalportions 68. The

periphery of the drum is preferably apertured, as shownat 69. As clearlyillustrated in Figure 1, when the drum is in the horizontal position, itoperates Within the water in the lower chamber 22, but when the drum isshifted to the vertical position, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure1, the drum is in the upper chamber 21.

Rigidly mounted upon the outer end of the spindle 50 is a combinationgear 70, hav ing a cylindrical gear portion 71, and a beveled gearportion 72.

The combination gear 70 is of course an integral casting, and itscylindrical gear portion 71 is adapted for engagement with the segmentalgear or gear element 73, Figures l and 2, when the spindle 50 is shiftedto thehorizontal position. The segmental ear 73 is pivotally mountedupon the Stud 74, carried by the transverse bar 17. The segmental gear73 is adapted to be oscillated, by means to be described, and thediameter of the segmental gear 73 being much larger than the diameter ofthe cylindrical gear portion 71, the spindle 50 will be given a pluralitof rotations in one direction, and then a p urality of rotations in theopposite direction, alternately. The segmental ear 73 has a pin 75secured thereto, near 1ts periphery, and this pin has pivotal connectionwith a pitman 76, extending downwardlyand arranged upon the inner sideof a large driving gear 77. The pitman 76 is pivotally connected withthe gear 77 by means of a .pin 78. The distance between the pin 78 andthe pivotal support 79 of the gear 77 is much less than the distancebetween the pin 75 and'the pin 74, and hence as the gear 7 7 is drivencontinuously in "the same direction, the pitman 76 will effect memes Thepower shaft 82 is equipped with a pinion 86 in permanent engagement withthe gear 77. i

The power shaft 81 has a vertical beveled gear 87 rigidly mountedthereon, and adapted to be engaged by the beveled gear portion 72, whenthe combination gear is swung to the vertical position, as indicated inFigure 1.

The numeral 88 designates a motor,

-mounted upon a platform 89, in turn at 'tached to the frame work of themachine,

and located in the space 25. This motor drives a pulley 90, engaging anddriving a belt 91, extending downwardly to engage a pulley 92, which isfree to turn upon the adjacent ends of the power shafts 81 and 82, butcannot partake of perceptible longitudinal movement thereon. This pulleyis provided With oppositely arranged clut h faces 93 and 94, adapted tohave frictional engagement with clutch heads 95 and 96 respectively.These clutch heads are keyed upon the shafts 81 and 82 respectively, sothat they may move longitudinally thereon, and turn therewith. Theclutch heads 95 and 96 are urged toward each other by springs 97 and 98,as shown. The clutch heads 95 and 96 are engaged by .ashifting fork 99carried by a lever. 100, pivoted at- 101. The springs 97 and 98 tend toreturn the clutch heads to the neutral position, so that both clutchheads may slide with the clutch faces of the pulley 92. When the lever100 is swung from this neutral position in either direction. one clutchhead will have frictional engagement with the clutch face of the pulley,while the other clutch head will disengage the correspond ing clutchface. It is thus seen that means are provided whereby the pulley 92 maybe employed to alternately drive either power shaft 81 or 82, or thepulley 92 will run idle without rotating these power shafts.

The operation of the machine is as follows: With the spindle 50 in thevertical position, as indicated in dotted lines. in Figure 1. the lcador cover 60 of the/drum may be removed and the clothes or the like to bewashed introduced into the drum. The head is now looked .to the drum byengaging the latch bar 59 with the headed studs 57. The

lever 39 is now shifted to the horizontal position, Figure 5, and thedrum 56 will as sume a horizontal position, with its lower the lever 100is swung in the direction to cause the clutch head 96 to frictiona-llyengage the clutch face 94. The motor 88 will therefore drive the gear86, which in turn will drive the gear 77, effecting an oscillatorymovement of the segmental gear 73. This segmental gear engaging thecylindrical portion 71 of the combination gear 70, will rotate the drum56 for a plurality of rotations, alternately, in opposite directions.The power shaft 81 is now idle. After the washing operation is completedand it is desired to dry the clothes. the lever 100 is returned to theneutral position. The

.lever 39 is now swung to the vertical position. whereby the spindle 50and the drum assume the vertical position shown in dotted lines inFigure 1. The beveled portion 72 of the combination gear now engages thebeveled gear 87. which is adapted to drive the spindle and the drum atan increased speed. The lever 100 is now shifted to bring the clutchhead 95 into engagement with the clutch face 93, and the motor willtherefore drive the power shaft 81. The drum rotating at a high speed,subjects the wet clothes to the action of centrifugal force whereby theyare dried in a manner well known in the art.

After the drying operation. the rotation of the drum is stopp d, and theclothes may be removed, as is obvious.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same.- and thatvarious changes in the shape. size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus I claim is:

1. In a washing machine of the character described, a receptacle forholding water. a pivotally supported sleeve-bearing adapted to beshifted to substantially horizontal and vertical positions, a pivot-allysupported support yoke arranged near the receptacle and engaging thesleeve-bearing at a point remote from its pivot, a spindle rota-tabledescribed my invention, what within the sleeve bearing, a drum carriedby one end of the splndle, gear means earned.

by the spindle, and spaced driving gear elements adapted to bealternately engaged by said gear means.

2. In a washing machine of the character described. a receptacle, abearing pivotally supported near the receptacle and adapted to swing ina substantially vertical plane,.a

spindle rotatable within the bearing, a drum I for operation within thereceptacle and hav ing its rear end secured to the spindle, a drum yokecarried by the bearing and extending ,to the forward end of the drum,means for connecting the forward end of the drum with the drum yoke,gear means mounted upon the spindle, and a pair of spaced gear elementsadapted tovbe alternately engaged by said gear means.

3. In a washing machine of the character described, a receptacle, abearing pivotally supported near the receptacle and adapted to swing ina substantially vertical plane, a spindle rotatable within the bearing,a drum for operation within the receptacle, a socket secured to the rearend'of the drum and adapted to be detachably mounted upon the forwardend oi the spindle, a drum yoke carried by the bearing and extending tothe forward end of the drum, means for detachably connecting the forwardend of the drum with the drum yoke, gear means secured to the rear endof the spindle, and a pair of spaced gear elements adapted to bealternately engaged by said gear means.

4. Ina washing machine ofthe character described, a receptacle having alower chamber to receive water, a pivotally supported support yokearranged near the receptacle, a sleeve bearing extending through thewall of the receptacle and rigidly connected with the support yoke,means for swinging the support yoke upon its pivot, a spindle within thesleeve bearing, a drum carried by one end of the spindle, a gear carriedby the spindle, and spaced driving gear elements adapted to bealternately engaged by said gear. a

5. In a washing machine of the character described, a receptacle adaptedto receive water, a pivotally supported support yoke arranged near thereceptacle, a lever connected with one end of the support yoke to turnit upon its pivot, a sleeve bearing secured to the support yoke andextending through the wall of the receptacle, means for effecting asubstantially water tight joint between the sleeve bearing and the wallof said receptacle, a spindle within the sleeve bearing, a drum, carriedby one end of the spindle, a gear carried by the opposite end of thespindle, a pair of spaced dl iving gear elements to alternately engagesaid gear, and means to drive said gear elements.

6. In a washingmachine of the character described, a. receptacle, aspindle, a sleeve bearing rotatably receiving the spindle, a drummounted within the receptacle and carried by one end of the spindle,means for pivotally supporting the sleeve bearing so that it may swingsubstantially vertically, a drum yoke,carried by the inner end of thesleeve bearing and surrounding the drum, a head for the drum, a latchbar car ried by the head and provided at its ends with transversenotches, headed studs carried by the drum yoke for insertion within saidnotches, a gear carried by the opposite end of the spindle, and a pairof spaced gear elements adapted to be alternately engaged by said gear.

7. In a washing machine of the characmamas ter described, a receptacle,a vertically swinging bearing arranged near the reoeptacle, a spindlerotatable within the abearing, a drum having its rear end mounted uponthe forward end of the spindle, a drum yoke carried by the bearing andextending to the forward end of the drum, a head having interlockingengagement with the forward end of the drum, a bar carried by the headand engaging the ends of the drum yoke, gear means carried by the rearend of the spindle, and a pair of'spaced gear elements adapted to bealternately engaged by said gear means.

8. In a washing machine of the character described, a receptacle, avertically swinging bearing arranged near the receptacle, a spindlerotatable'within the hearing, a drum having its rear end mounted uponthe forward end of the spindle, a drum yoke carried. by the bearing andextending to-the forward end of the drum, a head engaging the forwardend of the drum, a bar carried by the head and engaging the ends of thedrum yoke, a trunnion carried by the head, a bearing arranged to receivethe trunnion when the drum is swung to the substantially horizontalposition, gear means secured to the rear portion of the spindle and apair of spaced gear elements adapted to be alternately engaged by saidgear means.

I 9. In a washing machine of the character described, a receptacle, avertically swinging bearing arranged near the receptacle, a spindlerotatable-within the bearof the spindle, a drum yokecarried by thebearing and extending to the forwardend of the drum, a head engaging theforward end of the drum, a trunnion carried by the head, a latch barpivoted upon the trunnion and having oppositely faced notches near itsends, headed elements carried by the ends of the drum yoke for receivingthe notched ends of the latch bar, a stationary bearing arranged forreceiving the trunnion when thewdrum is swung to the substantiallyhorizontal position, gear means secured to the rear portion of thespindle, a pair ofspaced gear elements adapted to alternately engagesaid gear means, and means to swing the drum tothe horizontaland'vertical positions and to hold the same in these selected positions.

10. In a machine of the. character described, a pivotally mountedsupport adapted to swing substantially vertically,a spindle rotatablewithin the support, means for shifting the support to the raised andlowered positions, a drum carried by the spindle, a cylindrical gear anda beveled gear secured to said spindle, a driving beveled gear arrangedin the path of travel of said ing, a. drum mounted upon the forward endbeveled gear for engagement therewith, a

' emma 1.13

a and arranged in the path of travel of said posed permanently in thepath of travel of cylindrical gear, and means for driving the said gearmeans for engagement therewith beveled gear and the second gear. whenthe drum is shifted to the substantially 11. In a machine of thecharacter dehorizontal position, a second driving element 7 5 scribed, apivotally mounted support disposed permanently in the path of traveladapted to swing substantially vertically, a of said gear means toengage therewith when spindle rotatable within the support, means thedrum is shifted to the substantially verfor shifting the support to theraised and. tical position, and means to rotate said drivloweredpositions, a drum v. carried b the ing elements.

19 spindle, gear means secured to one en por- In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature. tion of the spindle, a driving element dis- LEO B.HART.

